Formal and Informal Learning in a Continuous Development Environment

Much of the training and development happening in organizations is measured by the hour and takes place at discreet times throughout a career. In many cases employees must complete a specific number of hours of online or in-class training in order to qualify for promotion.

The learning event model is based on a systematized approach to training intended to standardize qualifications and provide a road map for development. Unfortunately it often fails to support actual on-the-job performance. Contributing factors include lack of engagement with the content, training that is too far removed from the job and content that is not relevant or “one size fits all.”

This model is starting to be subsumed by a more comprehensive performance ecosystem comprised of formal and informal content, online social interaction, and smarter knowledge management, which is facilitated through the use of enterprise social media and collaboration technologies. This combination of content and resources accessed through a social collaboration platform is the foundation of the continuous development environment, (CDE). One principle that underscores the CDE is the recognition that learning takes place in both formal and informal ways. Many have studied and written about the fact that a relatively small amount of our learning takes place as formal learning. That is to say in an environment, either physical or digital that has been structured to guide the learning process. Typically this is in the form of a class, or perhaps eLearning. Conversely, the majority of our learning takes place through informal means including interacting with colleagues, search and self-curated content.

Sally Anne Moore from Digital Equipment Corporation did a study in the 90’s around Time to Performance. Her findings showed that within organizations approximately 25% of knowledge was being acquired through formal learning and that this primarily took place during early phases of knowledge acquisition, namely during the “I Know” and the “I Can Do” phase. With this foundation, individuals move to the “I Adopt and Adapt” phase which according to her study was where 75% of knowledge was being acquired and supported by informal learning.

A CDE is a mix of formal and informal learning and performance resources including short-format topical content, eLearning, tools for collaborating, and tools to support sharing and socializing. Providing learners with a structured learning path, especially when learning something new, and access to content and resources that are self-curated, paired with tools and channels to share, communicate and collaborate with colleagues and experts is a foundational aspect of the CDE.

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